Gabriel Strid has had a solid roller ski season, winning a Swedish Championship gold at Värnamorullen and finishing sixth at Alliansloppet. Now, he sets his sights on challenging the most prominent Pro Teams at Klarälvsloppet – together with a strengthened Team GS8.

Strid’s roller ski season has been a success. At Värnamorullen, he finished third overall but was the fastest among the Swedish skiers, securing the national title. He also took sixth place at Alliansloppet. He hopes that his form will last into the winter.

Also Read: Mannila and Gjerde Alnæs claim Värnamorullen victories

“My body has felt really good, so I hope it continues like this and that training and everything flows well until the winter season starts,” Strid told Langd.se.

Read More: Star-studded Klarälvsloppet this weekend – watch live on SC PLAY

Stronger team

Now, he and Team GS8 are targeting Klarälvsloppet, held on their home course.

“Klarälvsloppet is our last test before the winter. It means quite a lot for us as a team since it’s on home turf. It’s also the summer race that most resembles Vasaloppet,” Strid explained.

For the first time, the team will line up with a proper squad, and Strid, who is also the Pro Team Director, hopes they can challenge the strongest opponents.

“Especially this year, since we have a stronger lineup and it’s the first time we will have a full ‘team’ at a roller ski race. To do that at Klarälvsloppet, at home, is really fun.”

The story continues below.

Challenging the top Pro Teams

The new skiers, Markus Hallén Johansson and Rickard Ericsson, have shown strong results at Klarälvsloppet in previous years.

“Markus Hallén Johansson, Rickard Ericsson, and I will be there. Both Markus and Rickard have been really strong in this race before. Based on past results, I’m actually ranked as the third best in our team going into the race. I hope GS8 can challenge the biggest teams here on our home course.”

In the past, Strid often competed alone at events. Now, he looks forward to the benefits of having teammates.

“For the first time, I hope we can really take advantage of being a team. Even if we are one of the smaller squads, we want to be in the mix and challenge the bigger ones,” he said, adding:

“I’ve already been sixth at Alliansloppet, so I know it’s possible to be high up. We’re aiming high and want to be right at the top. Of course, it’s hard to say exactly how far it will take us, but I believe we can challenge the bigger teams.”

You can follow Klarälvsloppet live on SC PLAY with English commentary from 9:55 CET, with Ski Classics Legend Magni Smedås and Kjell-Erik Kristiansen leading the broadcast (available in all countries except Sweden, where it will be broadcast on TV4). Men start at 10:00 CET and women at 10:05 CET. 

KLARÄLVSLOPPET – LIVE HERE ON SC PLAY!

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